
horizon, and the solitary travelers are wrapped in the darkness of night. The
gloom of their surroundings seems in harmony with their sorrowful lives,
around which the clouds are gathering and thickening.
"The disciples do not venture to ask Christ whither He is going, or for
what purpose."—"The
Desire of Ages,"
p. 419.
The Earnest Prayer
3.
For what purpose did Jesus go up into the mountain? Luke 9:28.
NOTE.—"Presently Christ tells them that they are now to go no farther.
Stepping a little aside from them, the Man of Sorrows pours out His supplica-
tions with strong crying and tears. . . . The dew is heavy upon His bowed
form, but He heeds it not. The shadows of night gather thickly about Him,
but He regards not their gloom. So the hours pass slowly by. At first the
disciples unite their prayers with His in sincere devotion; but after a.time
they are overcome with weariness, and, even while trying to retain their
interest in the scene, they fall asleep."—"The
Desire of. Ages," ,pp.
419, 420.
Transfigured
4.
While Jesus was praying, what change came upon Him? Matt. 17:2.
NOTE.—"While He [Jesus] is bowed in lowliness upon the stony ground,
suddenly the heavens open, the golden gates of the city of God are thrown
wide, and holy radiance descends upon the mount, enshrouding the Saviour's
form. Divinity from within flashes through humanity, and meets the glory
coming from above. Arising from His prostrate position, Christ stands in
Godlike majesty. The soul agony is gone. His countenance now shines 'as
the sun,' and His garments are 'white as the light.'
"—"The Desire of Ages,"
p. 421.
5.
Who appeared with Jesus at this time? Verse 3.
NoTE.—Here was given a representation in miniature of the future king-
dom and home of God's people. Jesus, the King, was seen in His glory ; Moses
stood as a representative of the resurrected saints (Jude 9), and Elijah of
those who will be translated at the coming of Christ. 1 Thess. 4:16, 17.
6.
What did Jesus, Elijah, and Moses talk about? Luke 9:30, 31.
NOTE.—"Not the inauguration of Christ as king, but the decease to be
accomplished at Jerusalem, is the subject of their conference with Jesus.
Bearing the weakness of humanity, and burdened with its sorrow and sin,
Jesus walked alone in the midst of men. As the darkness of the coming trial
pressed upon Him, He was in loneliness of spirit, in a world that knew Him
not. Even His loved disciples, absorbed in their own doubt and sorrow and
ambitious hopes, had not comprehended the mystery of His mission. He
had dwelt amid the love and fellowship of heaven; but in the world that He
had created, He was in solitude. Now heaven had sent its messengers to Jesus;
not angels, but men who had endured suffering and sorrow, and who could
sympathize with the Saviour in the trial of His earthly life. Moses and Elijah
had been colaborers with Christ. They had shared His longing for the salva-
tion of men. Moses had pleaded for Israel: 'Yet now, if Thou wilt forgive
their sin ;—and if not, blot me, I pray Thee, out of Thy book which Thou
hast written.' Elijah had known loneliness of spirit, as for three years and a
half of famine he had borne the burden of the nation's hatred and its woe.
Alone he had stood for God upon Mount Carmel. Alone he had fled to the
desert in anguish and despai-. These men, chosen above every angel around
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}